Diploma
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Key details

Location Beaconsfield

Duration 15 months

Commitment Full-time

Next intake September 2019

Application deadline 02 May 2019

Begin your application

Overview

This 15-month course - the only one of its kind in the UK - has been developed in response to industry demands for suitably trained production sound professionals.

Internships at the BBC are available for location sound recording students. 

Taught exclusively by practising professionals, the course aims to give students high quality training in the theory and practice of recording sound for picture both on location and in our state-of-the-art 4K multi-camera television studio, as well as Fisher Boom training and experience of in-studio music recording and post-production techniques. Students will collaborate with those in other specialisms to make several films – with all production costs met by the School.

Graduates have been employed on recent television productions including Ashes to Ashes, Midsomer Murders and Holby City, and films including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, World War Z and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

All NFTS students can attend the School’s masterclasses programme, with recent guests including Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk, The Dark Knight, Interstellar), Lynne Ramsay (You Were Never Really Here) and Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It, Veep, The Death of Stalin).

Recent credits and successes

Graduate Stuart Wilson was Oscar-nominated for his work on Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Graduate Tom Fennell's credits include Spectre, The Edge of Tomorrow and Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi

Graduate Joanna Andrews' credits include Murder on the Orient Express, Quacks and Ashes to Ashes
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What you will study

The course offers an unrivalled opportunity to learn the practical skills required for a career in this field, and covers:

  • location sound recording techniques for drama and documentary
  • sound production for multi-camera television
  • music recording in the TV studio
  • equipment maintenance and problem solving

The course starts in September with a term of intensive workshops and exercises that prepare students to record sound on shoots with MA students in the following Spring and Summer terms. Alongside location and studio shoots for both documentary, fiction films and television productions, the programme of workshops and tuition continues throughout the course. Unlike other schools, all production costs are met by the School. In addition you will be given a cash Production Budget.

Current or recent tutors

Simon Clark

Simon Clark

Head of Location Sound Recording

Credits include The Crown, Mars and Wolf Hall.

Fees and funding options

Fees for this course are as follows:

Home/EU/EEA £8,250

These are the fees for the 2018 intake. Course fees for the 2019 intake are yet to be set. They will be published in March and any increase will be no higher than the rate of inflation.

This course is only open to UK and EU/EEA applicants.

The NFTS does not charge you extra for the cost of productions or materials.

A non-refundable deposit of £500 is required against the cost of your fees on confirmation of your place.

All production costs are included in the course fees, including the use of School facilities and equipment. The School also covers the costs of all off-site visits required as part of the curriculum, but students are expected to cover travel costs for non-compulsory off-site visits. Students are expected to provide their own laptops.

At the NFTS you will get far more time learning directly from tutors, in real production facilities and on real projects, than in the vast majority of film schools or universities. The specialist nature of our courses mean that our students gain the relevant skills and experience they need to go straight into the industry.

Showcase

Every year, our students work on a large range of short films.

Entry requirements

A proven interest in sound - particularly recorded sound - a lively interest in film, television and music and a willingness to work as part of a team are essential. We are looking for people who are practically minded and who have a good general education although there are no specific educational requirements for this course. Interpersonal skills are as important as practical ones, because sound recordists need to be able to work effectively as part of a team. You’ll also need to be fit and have plenty of energy, as sound recording can be physically demanding.

While we don’t select applicants on the basis of their ability to drive, we strongly recommend that you learn to drive, as a clean, current, driving license will be essential in your future career. 

While many applicants will have a degree from a British or overseas university, we will always consider applicants who do not have a degree if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification.

If you are not an EEA National, you must already be in possession of a UK visa valid for the duration of this course.  We are unable to accept your application if you do not.

If you are not sure whether your experience or qualifications are appropriate, please ask the Registry for advice - info@nfts.co.uk.

How to apply

Application deadline: 02 May 2019

 

Applicants must supply the following:

  • Please tell us of an event or production that you have recorded or one that you have experienced and would like to have recorded. Include information on what preparation you did and what you would have done differently. What inspired you about the event? No more than one page (A4 paper)
  • If you have any work that you would like to share with us please send us the links. However, this is not essential since you may not have had the opportunity to create something yet.

You can apply online by clicking on BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION below. We are happy to receive applications at any time up until the midnight of the application deadline date.

Begin your application

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